US2401303A - Railway lubricator - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1946.

A. F. HUBER RAILWAY *LUBRICATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Filed Aug. 27, 1941 INVENTOR ALBERT fi' HUBER ATTORNEY N v A -illlllililkw a v a a I Q I Q 3 Lm Q June 4, 1946. HUBER 2,401,303

I RAILWAY LUBRIOATOR Filed Aug. 27, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet s ygza , ullmllug,

l vENTb ALB T f. u BY' ATTORbiEY June 4, 1946. A, H BER 2,401,303

RAILWAY LUBRICATOR Filed Aug. 27, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ALBERT E HUBER ATTORNEY Patented June 4, 1946 RAILWAY LUBRICATOR Albert F. Huber, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to American Brake Shoe Company, a corporation of Delaware Application August 27, 1941, Serial No. 408,410

Claims. 1

The invention relates in eneral to railroad track equipment and, more particularly, to devices for lubricating the flanges of car wheels and the flange engaging surfaces of the rails. The invention further relates to operating mechanism which, when actuated by the passage of rolling stock, supplies lubricant quickly and efliciently.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a ramp assembly is mounted upon. a running rail and a hydraulic tank having a hydraulic pump is operatively connected to the ramp assembly. Spaced from the track structure and independently mounted on the road bed is a reservoir and lubricant supply mechanism. The reservoir may comprise a comparatively large tank set in the ground in which is disposed a lubricant pumping unit or gun having suitable driving devices driven by the hydraulic pump through suitable pumping connections. The pumping unit or gun may comprise an aligned double-acting hydraulic motor and pump, and suitable connections may be provided from the discharge of the lubricant pump to the actual lubricant applying device associated with the track for applying lubricant to the wheel flanges.

The ramp may be provided with ramp springs for holding it in the path of the rolling stock and its connection with the hydraulic pump is preferably such that the pumping action occurs with upward movement of the ramp under influence of the ramp springs, the hydraulic pump being a single acting pump and exerting no pumping action with downward movement of the If desired, however, the connections may be reversed so that the pumping stroke occurs with downward movement of the ramp in which case a suitable maximum pressure or relief valve may be provided in the discharge of the pump within the hydraulic tank to release the hydraulic fluid in the event a serious stoppage occurs either in the hydraulic or lubricant lines.

If 1. instead of filling the lubricant reservoir with lubricant by transferring from a shipping container, provision be for utilia ing the shipping container itself as a part the reservoir. In this case, a suitable foundation or container will be provided to receive the shipping container and the power driven pump unit or gun will be mounted upon a suitable removable support so that this assembly may be removed from the shipping container when the lubricant is consinned and then replaced when a full shippin container is substituted.

The invention also consists certain new and original features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and-the manner in which it may be'carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is'a plan view of one running railwith the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is'a section on the lin 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedsection taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l and showing the ramp and hydraulic pump assembly.

Fig. 4 is a section'on the line. l--4 of Fig. 1 showing the ramp assembly without the hydraulic pump unit.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on the lines li -B of Fi s. 3 and 4.

Fig. '7 is a plan section taken on the line 1'| of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a section through the lubricant reservoir.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal seotionthrough the lubricant or grease gun.

Fig, 10 is a sectionon the line Ill-4B of Fig.9.

Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken on the line Hll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a section through a modified form of lubricant reservoir, using the removable shipping container; and

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a modified structure corresponding to Fig. 3 but having the pumping stroke of the hydraulic pump occur with downward movement of the ramp.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposes ofexplanaticn, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the running rail is denoted by Ill and the usual supporting ties by l l. Secured to the running rail is a delivery plate l2 having a grease applying slot l3 for supplying lubricant to the outer surfaces of the flanges of the wheels running on the rail Ii]. Also secured to the track structure is a ramp I4 driving a hydraulic pump I5 which is connected to a hydraulically driven gun I6 located in the reservoir I1 alongside the track. The reservoir I'I contains lubricant and the gun I6 draws lubricant from the reservoir and discharges it through a pipe system indicated by I8 to the delivery device I2. Hydraulic pipes I9 and 20 having flexible sections connect the hydraulic pump I5 and the grease gun I6.

The lubricant applying apparatus, of which delivery plate I2 forms a part, is fully disclosed and claimed in Heidenthal patents, No. 2,059,235 granted November 3, 1936, and No. 2,185,810 granted January 2, 1940, to which reference is made for a more complete disclosure. It is sufficient for present purposes to refer to Fig. 5 of the present application where it will be noted that the head 23 of the rail II] is cut away to put the delivery slot I3 at the proper location for applying streaks of lubricant to the wheel flanges. A series of branch conduits 24 are located along the length of the rail and supply lubricant to the delivery plate I2 uniformly and evenly by the system of piping indicated in general by I8.

It will be understood that the wheels rolling along the running rail Ill operate the ramp I4, which in turn reciprocates the hydraulic pump I5 which sends hydraulic fluid, such as light oil, through discharge pipe I9 to the grease gun the return hydraulic fluid returning through pipe 20 to the tank 45. The gun I5 draws lubricant, which may be a heavier grease, from the bottom of reservoir I'I, delivering it through the system of piping I8 as above described.

Referring now to the ramp assembly, shown more particularly in Figs. 3 to '7, this comprises a filler plate 28 and a housing plate 29 suitably bolted to the running rail Ill. The ramp I4 is located between the housing plate 29 and the rail head 23 and is pivoted at one end by a pivot bolt 21. The filler and housing plates 28 and 29 have suitable recesses 30 forming seats for helical springs 3I, which engage the lower surface of the ramp I4 urging it upward. The top surface of the ramp I4 is suitably cammed or beveled to accommodate trafiic in both directions.

For adjusting the height of the ramp a stud bolt 32 is passed through the filler plate 28 and rail I0 and is located within a recess formed by a strap 33 secured to the underside of the ramp I4. Located in this recess is a master shim 35 and a plurality of adjusting shims 36 held in position, on the one side by the surface offiller plate 28 and on the other side by a cover plate 31' held in position by a cotter pin 38 passing through stud 32. Thus, by taking out or adding shims 36 the uppermost position of ramp I4 may be adjusted and the corresponding stroke applied to the hydraulic pump also adjusted.

Secured to the housing plate 29 is the hydraulic tank body 45, which comprises a rectangular box having a removable cover 46. The tank body has an extension 48 through which passes bolt 44 which also passes through the housing plat 29, filler plate 23, rail I0 and delivery plate I2. EX- tension 48 has a shoulder 42 engaging housing plate 29. Other bolts 41 secure the tank 45 to the housing plate 29. Bolt 39 also completely passes through the housing plate, filler plate, rail, and delivery plate. Top cover 46 is provided with a removable supply plug 51 having a vent opening as indicated in Fig. 6.

The hydraulic pump I5 is set m the side Wall of tank 45, as shown more particularly in Fig. 7, and comprises a cylinder 59 connected to a plate 58 having a suitable stuffing box 5! for the piston rod '58. It will be understood that the plate 58 is of square configuration and i suitably secured to the wall of tank 45 by suitable bolts indicated by 43 in Fig. 3,

Secured to piston rod 59 is the piston 49 which reciprocates within the cylinder 50, the latter being provided with an inlet check valve 52 and a discharge check valve 53 which communicates with the discharge pipe 5 5 passing through the Wall of tank 45 and connecting with the discharge pipe I9. The return pipe 20 also passes through the wall of tank 45 and has a standing end indicated by 58 located above the level of the hydraulic fluid indicated by 5-5 in Fig. 6 to prevent loss of oil should pipe 28 break.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that as the piston 49 in Fig. 7 moves to the left the liquid will be drawn in through the inlet valve 52, and as the piston 49 moves to the right the inlet valve 52 will be closed and the discharge valve 53 will open, discharging liquid under pressure through pipes 5 3 and I9- The connections for driving the hydraulic pump I5 by the ramp i l will be understood from the following description taken with Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Bolted to the web of the rail I9 is a Z plate 62, the bolt being indicated by 53. Additional bolts indicated b 54 pass through plate 62' into filler plate 28. The end of plate 62 projects away from the filler plate 28 and a short shaft 65 passes therethrough. On one end of the shaft 65 is an inner arm 65 and on the other end is an outer arm 60. Link BI is suitably pivoted to the end of ramp I A and to the end of arm 56. Another link 1-5 is pivotall connected to arm 69 and to a fitting I6 secured to piston rod 59.

Referring now more particularl to Figs. 9 to 11, the power driven grease gun will now be described. This gun may be purchased on the market and forms no part of the present invention, except as it is combined with the elements used therewith to provide the present track lubricator.

The gun I6 comprises an upper head and a lower head 8|, having upper cylinder 82 clamped therebetween by three bolt and nut assemblies 83. Secured to the lower end of fitting BI is a lower cylinder 86, having an intake valve cap 85 supporting a valve disk 86 and a strainer 8?. Lugs 88 are for the purpose of spacing the gun on the bottom of the reservoir tank IT to permit lubricant to be drawn in through strainer 81. Located within the lower cylinder 84 is an intermediate cylinder 89 providing an annular space connecting with duct 94 communicating with the discharge pipe I61.

Located within the upper cylinder 82 is an upper piston 90 formed of two disks BI and 92 suitably bolted together and holding rings of packing 93. Located within the intermediate cylinder 89 is the intermediate piston I00, made up of upper section IEI and a lower section I02 suitably screw threaded together to hold packings sea. A hollow piston rod I54 connects pistons 90 and I06.

Located within the lower cylinder 34 is a lower piston I05 made up of sections IE6 and IU'I threaded together to clamp packing I98 therebetween. Rod I 89 threaded into section I02 of piston Iilii is provided with a nut Iii) clamping a collar III. Cap H2 is threaded on section I06 to secure piston rod I09 thereto, Sections I06 and 5 I01 are provided with passages communicating both above and below the packing I08, and section I01 is provided with a seat I I5 against which is positioned a ball I I3 held in position by spring The upper head 80 contains the valve mechanism for alternately supplying fluid pressure above and below the piston 90 to make this piston and its cylinder in effect a double acting hydraulic motor. A plate I20 is threaded into the end of casing 90, forming the end wall of cylinder 82. Passing through end wall I20 and through hollow piston rod I04 is a valve stem I2I having abutments I22 and I23.

Located on the upper end of valve stem I2I are collars I24 and I25, and surrounding the stem I2I is a spring I26 engaging an upper collar I21 loosely mounted on the valve stem I2I and engaging a ring I29 fixed to detent sleeve I3I. Spring I26 also engages a collar I26 which engages both an abutment on spindle I2! and an abutment on detent sleeve I3I.

The detent sleeve I3I is provided with annular grooves I32 and I33 adapted. to selectively engage with both detents I34 held in position by springs I35 backed by caps I36. Loosely connected to the detent sleeve I3I by a screw and slot connection I38 is the slide valve I31, which slides within a liner or sleeve I39 provided with a series of holes. These holes line up with corresponding openings in a series of rings I40, I4! and I42 held in position by sleeve I43 and cap I44 by suitable bolts I45 passing through the cap into the body of the head 80. The rings I40, MI and I-42 surround the liner I39 and hold it down against the cylinder head I20.

The openings in the upper ring I40 communicate with passages I50, Fig. 10, leading to the upper end of cylinder 82. The openings in intermediate ring I4I connect with inlet duct I5I to which supply pipe I9 is connected. The openings in the lower ring I42 connect with passage I52, pipe I53, passage I54, leading to the lower end of cylinder 82. The sleeve liner E39 has exhaust holes I58 at its lower end communicating with annular space I59, to which exhaust pipe 20 is connected. Pipe 20 also connects with passages I48 and I41 to the space above liner I39.

A brief description of the operation of the gun I6 will now be given. In the positions shown in Figs. 9-11, the several pistons 90, I and I95, are each at the top of their strokes and the downward stroke is about to begin, Hydraulic fluid under pressure from pipe I9 passes through passage I I the openings in ring I4I and the adjacent openings in liner I39 through the annular port I46 of slide valve I31, thence through openings in liner I39 and corresponding openings in ring I40, thence into communication with the ducts I50, Fig. 10, communicating with the space above motor piston 90. Piston 90 is then forced clownwardly, driving pistons I00 and I05. The space in cylinder 84 below lower piston I05 having previously been filled with lubricant due to the previous upward stroke of piston I05, this lubricant now opens check valve II3 passing to the space above piston I05. Check valve 86 prevents this lubricant from being expelled back into the reservoir. The downward movement of intermediate piston I00 thus decreases the volume of the combined space defined by cylinders 84 and 99, forcing lubricant up between these two cylinders into the annular space 94 and cut through the discharge pipe I81 as indicated by the arrow.

As the motor piston 90 approaches the bottom of its stroke it engages shoulder I22 on valve stem IZI which carries this stem downwardly together with sleeve I24 and collar I21, compressing spring I26 until sleeve I25 engages collar I28 which carries detent sleeve I3I downward. Downward movement of sleeve I 3I causes spring pressed balls I34 to disengage groove I33 and engage in groove I32 with a snap action, thus carrying sleeve valve I31 from the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 to a position where valve port I46 connects the openings in liner I39 corresponding to the openings in rings MI and I42.

This connects the hydraulic supply pipe I9 through duct I5I, the openings in rings MI and I42 and corresponding openings in the liner I39 to duct I52, pipe I53 and duct I54, thus supplying pressure to the cylinder I6 under piston which causes the upward movement of the pistons, The space above piston 90 communicates with the discharge pipe 20 to exhaust the hydraulic fluid admitted for the downward stroke, through ducts I50, Fig, 10, the openings in ring I40 and corresponding openings in liner I39 to the space above slide valve 531, thence outwardly through ducts I41 and I48 to exhaust pipe 20.

The upward movement of lower piston I05 forces lubricant above it into intermediate cylinder 89 and also the space between cylinders 89 and 84, but since piston I05 is larger than piston I00 more lubricant is moved upwardly by piston I05 than the corresponding displacement of piston I00 and the difference is expelled through annular channel 94 and discharge pipe I61.

The upward movement of lower piston l05 also tends to create a vacuum in cylinder 84 under the piston which opens check valve 86, drawing in lubricant through strainer 81.

As the piston 90 approaches the upper end of its stroke, the piston I00 engages the abutment I23 on the lower end of valve stem I2I, which moves collar I28 upwardly, compressing spring 529 until collar I25 engages collar I21, which engages ring I29 to move detent sleeve I3! upwardly to cause detents I34 to snap from groove 32 to groove I33, the position shown in these figures.

The upward movement of detent sleeve I3I carries slide valve i351 with it, moving it to the position shown, connecting the hydraulic supply pipe I9 to the space above piston 90 as above described and communicating the space below piston 90 through duct I54, pipe I53, duct I52, the openings in ring I42, corresponding openings in liner I39 and the openings I58, annular space I59, with the hydraulic discharge pipe 20.

Thus we have a double acting power driven lubricant pump or gun, which delivers a constant stream of lubricant to discharge pipe I81 with both downward and upward strokes of the pistons. This insures the constant supply of lubricant to the track so long as pressure is supplied to hydraulic feed pipe I9.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 8, the reservoir I1 comprises a large tank I60 of ample size to hold a considerable quantity of lubricant, set in the ground alongside the road bed spaced somewhat from the rails and ties so as to be free from movement imparted to the track by movement of the rolling stock. The tank I60 may have a two part cover, one part I6I being fixedly secured to the body I60 and the other part I62 having a hinged connection I12 with part IBI. Hinged lid 462 may be provided with an apertured ear cooperating with an apertured ear or lug I1I at- 7 tached to the body I60 for the reception of a padlock or the like.

Suitable provision may be made for excluding water and to this end the members I6I and I62 may have a peripheral flange I13 and the joint between parts I6I and I62 may have a seal comprising a rib or flange I10, over which is disposed a bead I63 on the lid I62.

The gun I6 may be mounted on a suitable bracket I65 secured to the walls of body I66 as by suitable bolts passing through the bracket into the flange I66 of the lower head 8|. The discharge pipe I61 may have incorporated therein a relief valve I68 for purpose of relieving excess pressure in pipe I61, the relief valve I68 then diverting the grease back into the reservoir I1. Discharge pipe I61 connects, by a suitable flexible connection I69, with the net work I8 supplying the various portions of the lubricant applying device I2. The discharge pipe I61 together with hydraulic pipes I9 and 26 may pass through a suitable plate I14 detachably or otherwise secured around an opening in the side wall of body I66.

It will thus be seen that as trains move over the running rail II], the ramp I4 will be reciprocated up and down, downward movement being caused by the weight of the trains and the upward movement being caused by the ramp springs 31. The downward movement of the ramp I4 causes a retracting movement to piston 69 of the hydraulic pump I5, drawing hydraulic fluid from the tank 45 into the cylinder. The upward movement of the ramp I4 under the influence of springs 8I applies the pumping force to piston 49 of the single acting hydraulic pump, discharging hydraulic fluid through the discharge pipe I9 to the hydraulic gun I6, which pumps lubricant to the track as above described. The exhaust fluid returns through pipe 26 to tank 45, where it discharges above the normal liquid level in tank 45. Thus, the force applying the pumping action is limited to the strength of the springs 3 I, which are so designed as to maintain all forces below the rupture point of all of the hydraulic and lubricant apparatus concerned should a stoppage occur anywhere. Thus, if desired, the excess pressure valve I68 in the lubricant line may be omitted.

The successive reciprocations of the hydraulic pump due to the passage of successive wheels of rolling stock impart comparatively small successive spurts of hydraulic pressure to the gun I6, which in turn causes the lubricant to be fed evenly and uniformly. As soon as the last wheel has passed, the hydraulic pressure is immediately terminated and the gun I6 immediately stops feeding, there being no large quantity of lubricant under pressure to continue to feed after the hydraulic driving impulses have been terminated.

Thus there is no danger of flooding or oversupplying the delivery or applying apparatus I2. On the other hand, the check valve 53 insures hydraulic pressure being always maintained in the hydraulic supply pipe I9, and upon the passage of the first pair of wheels of a train, hydraulic pressure is built up immediately and lubricant will be supplied to the delivery slots I3 immediately.

In some cases it may be desirable to have the downward movement of the ramp I4 impart the power stroke to the hydraulic pump and the ramp springs impart the retracting movement. The invention conveniently adapts itself to this modification as illustrated particularly in Fig. 13. Here corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference characters followed by the letter a, the ramp being indicated by Ida, the pivoted stud shaft by 65a, the arm connected thereto by 66a and 66a and the connecting links by BIa and 15a. The hydraulic pump I5a is of the same construction as the pump I5 and supplies discharge pipe 54a which is connected in substantially the same manner with the gun as discharge pipe 54. However, interposed in pipe 54 is an excess pressure valve or safety valve I16 which relieves any excess hydraulic pressure, diverting the excess liquid back into the tank 45a in the event defects occur in any part of the apparatus causing excess pressures to be built up. The relief valve I16 is necessary here in view of the weight of the rolling stock being sufficient to impart forces to the apparatus sufficiently high to cause breakage in the event some stoppage or other defect occurs. The advantage of this modiflcation is that hydraulic pressure is obtained a little bit more quickly than with the type first described in that the first downward movement of the ramp supplies the hydraulic pressure, whereas in the form first described hydraulic pressure is not built up until upward movement of the ramp occurs.

In some cases it is desirable to utilize the original shipping containers for the lubricant as the reservoir. This procedure eliminates the transfer of the lubricant from the shipping container to the reservoir when it is necessary to replenish the supply. This bodily transfer of lubricant from one container to another is not only a nuisance but is hazardous in that the workmen are sometimes careless and get foreign matter into the lubricant which interferes with the operation of the track lubricator.

To this end the arrangement of Fig. 12 is provided, this being illustrated somewhat diagrammatically. This form comprises a holder or foundation I11 permanently set in the ground alongside of the track and spaced from the track and independent of movement thereof. The shipping container which is indicated by I16 may be in the form of a metal drum, having a top I19 provided with an openin normally closed by a removable lid (not shown). When this lid is removed, a housing I86 may be put in its place, this housing having a hinged lid I82. The housing may have a depending annular lip fitting within the opening in the top I19 and suitable provision made to keep water from getting into the lubricant.

For supporting gun I6b the housing I may have a plate I83 connected thereto having a suitable opening through which the gun will be disposed. The gun is provided with a plate I84 welded or otherwise secured thereto for engaging the plate I83. The discharge pipe [61b may have a relief valve I681) and both the pipe I61?) and hydraulic pipes I91) and 201) may have detaehable couplings I85, I86 and I81 for the purpose of disconnecting these pipes.

When the grease in the shipping container I18 is exhausted, it is only necessary to detach the couplings I85, I86 and I81 and bodily remove the housing I80 and gun I6b. The empty container I18 is then removed from the holder I11 and a full container I18 substituted, after which the housing I8!) and gun I6b will be replaced in the position shown. After the couplings I85, I86 and I81 are tightened the apparatus is ready for use.

Thus a hydraulic track lubricator has been described which is simple and efficient in operation. It is easy to install since both hydraulic pipes and lubricant pipes have flexible sections so that it is not necessary to line up the reservoir and lubricant gun with the apparatus on the track structure. Mechanical reciprocating parts and resulting lost movement is reduced to a minimum and a single positive pumping unit is provided.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a track lubricator, a track structure, a lubricant applying device associated therewith for applying lubricant to wheels running on said track structure, a ramp pivoted to said track structure to be operated by passage of rolling stock, a ramp housing partially enclosing said ramp, a hydraulic tank secured to said ramp housing, a hydrualic pump mounted in said tank and connected to said ramp, a lubricant reservoir mounted alongside the track independently there of and spaced therefrom, a lubricant gun in said reservoir comprising a double acting hydraulic motor driving a double acting lubricant pump, said pump receiving lubricant from said reservoir, flexible means for delivering lubricant from said pump to said applying device, and flexible hydraulic supply and return pipes connecting said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic motor.

2. In a rail lubricator, a track structure, a

ramp pivoted thereto, a housing partially enclosing said ramp, a hydraulic tank secured to said housing, a reciprocating, single acting hydraulic pump having a cylinder projecting from a side wall of said tank, said cylinder containing a piston having a piston rod projecting out of said tank, drive connections from said ramp to said rod, said cylinder having an inlet check valve communicating with hydraulic liquid in said tank and an outlet check valve, said cylinder being immersed in said liquid, a discharge pipe connecting said outlet valve and passing through the wall of said tank, a return pipe passing through the wall of said tank and extending above the highest liquid level therein, a lubricant supplying device comprising a double acting hydraulic motor connected to a lubricant pump, both said pipes being connected to said hydraulic motor to circulate hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic pump and motor in a closed circuit to cause said lubricant pump to supply said track structure with lubricant.

3. In a track structure, a running rail having a lubricant applying device associated therewith, a ramp assembly comprising a filler plate secured to the web of said rail, a housing plate secured to said rail and a ramp pivoted to said rail and mounted between the head of said rail and said housing plate, a hydraulic tank secured to said housing plate, a pump in said hydraulic tank, drive connections between said ramp and said pump, a lubricant reservoir spaced from said rail said reservoir being mounted alongside the track and independent of movement thereof, hydraulic lubricant supplying device in said reservoir, a flexible conduit connecting said supplying device and said applying device, and flexible hydraulic conduits between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic lubricant supplying device.

4. In a rail lubricator, a track structure including a running rail, a lubricant applying device on said track structure for applying lubricant to wheels running on said running rail, a hydraulic pump forming part of said track structure and having an actuating member operated by the passage of rolling stock, a lubricant reservoir mounted alongside of the track structure so as to be independent of movement of said track structure caused by passage of rolling stock, a lubricant gun comprising a double-acting, reciprocating lubricant pump and a double-acting, reciprocating hydraulic motor, said lubricant pump including a cylinder with a piston working therein, said hydraulic motor also including a cylinder with a piston working therein, said gun being vertically disposed in said reservoir with the cylinders of its pump and motor in line and their pistons direct-connected and with the hydraulic motor above the lubricant pump, a flexible conduit extending from said lubricant pump to said lubricant applying device, and flexible hydraulic conduits between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic motor.

5. In a rail lubricator, a track structure including a running rail, a lubricant applying device on said track structure for applying lubricant to wheels running on said running rail, a hydraulic pump, means operating said hydraulic pump by passage of rolling stock moving over said running rail, a lubricant reservoir containing lubricant, a lubricant gun comprising a double-acting reciprocating hydraulic motor direct connected to a double-acting reciprocating lubricant pump, hydraulic connections between said hydraulic pump and said double-acting hydraulic motor, said hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor having such relative displacement that a plurality of double strokes imparted to said hydraulic pump is required to complete the stroke of said hydraulic motor in a single direction, said motor having direction reversing devices to reverse the direction of motion of said motor when it reaches either end of its stroke, said lubricant pump having communication with said reservoir to draw in lubricant on each stroke in each direction, said lubricant pump also having communication with said lubricant applying device to deliver lubricant thereto on each stroke in each direction.

ALBERT F. HUBER.

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